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restoring old faithful GT - component advice?
Hi All, New to the NobMob so please be kind!
I've recently gotten back into my bike riding and also just moved house - in doing so i found my old 199X GT Avalanche frame, which i love (it weighs nothing!) but is really only just that - a frame! cranks and gear changers/levers(LX)are all ok, but i def need new rims, forks and some tlc to get her back on the road.
so... Im looking at getting bits from ebay, theres plenty around, but i have a question or 2:
1. rear derailer is a 7speed (i think), will it be difficult getting a wheel with hub that will fit a 7 speed cluster?
2. if i upgrade rear to a 9 speed, im guessing id need to also change the chain to a new narrow one - would i also have to change front changer and chainrings to suit, or can i run with what i have? I'm thinking i may have to change the gearset anyway as it currently has combined brake/gear levers, and if i put hydraulic brakes on the front, ill need new gear levers too.
3. is there anyway of attaching disk brakes to a frame that is pre-disk brakes? if not, is it too wierd riding with a disk front and vbrake rear? (intending to get disk forks + hydraulics)
4. forks: as long as the steerer tube is right diameter and long enough, its ok yeah? can you cut them down shorter if too long?
thanks for listening... any advice would be greatly appreciated...
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I'm going to be brutally honest
If money is no object then all of the above is still not possible.
Attaching hydraulics brakes to non hydro forks are not possible, unless you’re a welding genius!
Do your self a favour and buy a complete set of drive gear; rear cassette, front cogs, chain, front and rear derailleur and shifters. That way no compatibility problems!
Forks; don’t quite follow your comments there but if the rest of the bike is of the same vintage then replace them too, if the stem will take them.
Man your taking on a huge task. Sent us a pic of the frame as I want to see the before and after shot.
Greg
Where's Matt when you need him? Didn't he just do something similar by building up an old frame he had lying about?
If you've got time and don't mind taking a risk on eBay and the specials that come by at places like T7, Phantom and numerous overseas places then it would be a fun project. T7 have a complete Hayes disc set (both ends) for $199 this week for example, they had an XTR mini-build kit for 7-800 bucks not long ago didn't they? HG93 chains have been had for 20 bucks, etc, etc, etc.
Trouble is though, the more you buy the cheaper it gets. Eg. you might as well buy a whole new crankset as get three rings. New forks are pretty pricy, as are brakes. Oh dear, by the time you add it all up you might find it's just as cheap to buy a whole new hardtail!
Oh, I have heard of people putting a disc on the front and leave V on the back, but never seen it in real life(tm).
By the time you buy the new drive chain and brakes you could have picked up a reasonable quality new bike for the same money.
That said disc front v rear is fine. The front is where the braking gets done anyway. You will need to change the front rings as 9 speed chain is narrower. You can run a 9 on a 6/7/8 speed front crankset but it won't like it.
...and get a new bike would be my 2 cents. You could spend ages searching for stuff on ebay and getting bargains but there are some great new bikes out there at reasonable prices which will ride great and probably save you lots of money in the long run.
From the sound of it the only bits you're keeping are the frame and a rear V-Brake, not really worth the hassle IMHO.
If you do decide to persist though the answers would be:
1) Yes, I think it would be trick and hard to find a good quality hub but don't quote me on that.
2) Souds like everything will go, even down to the BB, unless you really want to keep the old chainring arms
3) Not wierd but limits your rim choice a bit.
4) Aye that's OK.
Or save some money and buy a good second hand bike, you can get some great bikes for half price.
Good luck John
is the best bet. You should be able to pick up a complete new bike with discs at both ends for near or cheaper than the cost of the new parts required. IMHO dont wast your time or money.
Thanks all for your advice...
I spent weeks watching ebay for all the right parts to come up and most of them did, but i would have spent upwards of $1,000 just getting all the basic bits together.
what i did instead was pick up a bargain Giant NRS air!
very happy with it, need to adjust a few little things so it suits me better, but all up, better off having a 2 year old, carbon fibre dually then a 10 year old alloy hardtail i reckon...
just hard to let go sometimes.
....have been keeping an old machine on the road for years now...and if you add up all the parts and expenses ...I could have bought 2 bikes!
This really depends on how keen you are to ride?
Another bike wether new or second hand....it don't matter...considering price drops...you could easy find a good one..ebay is not a bad way...but remember LBS are their if you develop problems down the line..and will take care of your bike...
Keep your spares for when you may need them!
Happy hunting!
shane
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